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Crown Prince: A succession process to replace Thai king is in place

The exact timing of when the Crown Prince will ascend to the throne is still unknown

(CNN)Three days after the death of Thailand King Bhumibol Adulyadej, whose funeral rites began Friday after a 70-year reign, grieving has shifted to guessing regarding when the royal throne will be occupied.

Thailand's Crown Prince Maha Vajiralonkorn, who was named successor to Bhumibol back in December 1972, wants to lay to rest speculation that's arisen as the southeast Asian nation mourns its longtime leader.

Thailand's Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn attends the annual royal ploughing ceremony at Sanam Luang in Bangkok on May 13, 2015.

In a statement on national television Saturday, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said the Crown Princehas urged people not to "worry about the country's administration or even the succession."

Bury the king, begin the speculation

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Citing the Crown Prince, the prime minister said the succession process was outlined long ago by "the Constitution, Royal Law, and tradition."

However, Thai citizens remain in a "moment of sadness" following the funeral process Friday, the prime minister said. That's why the Crown Prince hasn't moved ahead to fill the throne.

Photos:Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej dies at 88

A Thai cyclist prays in front of the Grand Palace in Bangkok on October 16, 2016. Thousands of Thai men and women gather daily in the vicinity of the palace to pray for the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej after his death Thursday.

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Photos:Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej dies at 88

A Buddhist monk stands next to line of mourners waiting to pay their respects to the body of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the Grand Palace in Bangkok, October 15, 2016.

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Photos:Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej dies at 88

Devotees light candles for the late Thai King at Mahabodhi temple in Bodhgaya on October 14.

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Photos:Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej dies at 88

A Thai man carries high an image of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej as a large crowd floods the streets leading to the Royal Palace on October 14, 2016.

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Photos:Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej dies at 88

A van carries the body of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej's to his palace in Bangkok on October 14.

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Photos:Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej dies at 88

Thais gathering outside of Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok hold up baht notes with a portrait of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Friday, October 14, in Bangkok, Thailand, following news of his death the previous day.

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Photos:Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej dies at 88

A flag flies at half-staff outside a government hospital on October 14 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. According to a palace statement, all government buildings will fly the Thai flag at half-staff for 30 days starting on Friday.

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Photos:Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej dies at 88

Thai Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-o-cha attends a traditional funeral bathing ceremony for the King at the Grand Palace in Bangkok on Friday.

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The Prime Minister arrives to pay respects to the late King at the Grand Palace on October 14.

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Photos:Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej dies at 88

Dignitaries participate in a ceremony commemorating the King at Wat Phra Singh on Friday in Chiang Mai.

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Photos:Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej dies at 88

Buddhist monks line up to offer condolences at the Grand Palace in Bangkok on Friday.

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Photos:Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej dies at 88

People dressed mostly in black wait outside the Grand Palace to pay respects to the King on October 14.

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Photos:Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej dies at 88

The Thai Royal Guard marches in honor of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Friday.

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Photos:Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej dies at 88

Amid a procession of vehicles, a van carries the body of the King to his palace in Bangkok on Friday.

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Photos:Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej dies at 88

Mourners shade themselves under umbrellas while they await the procession of the King's body to the palace in Bangkok on October 14.

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Photos:Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej dies at 88

A woman passes out after an official statement announces the death of the king.

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Photos:Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej dies at 88

People react to news of the King's death outside Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok on Thursday.

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Photos:Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej dies at 88

A women cries after learning of the King's death on October 13 in Bangkok.

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According to a police spokesperson, more than 100,000 people showed up at the Grand Palace in Bangkok to pay their respects to the late King, one of the world's longest-reigning monarch.

On Thursday, the prime minister said that the Crown Prince "needs time to mourn his father" -- leaving the country waiting in suspense for a formal successor.